Obligatory disclaimer: The Mouse owns all, save my own original characters.
Julia sighed in frustration and, after a moment, sat up in bed. The inn where the crew had booked rooms was pleasant enough and well furnished, but the walls were terribly thin. For the past several hours Julia had heard nothing but the sounds of people coupling in the room next to hers, as well as the bed banging against the wall adjoining her own… in a continuous, on-going rhythm. Why have they not spent themselves yet? For hours, she had tried to block out the noise, but the pillow and multiple layers of bedding over her ears failed to deaden the sound. Every time she thought that they were finished, the bed would resume it's banging against the adjoining wall.
Pitching her pillow across the room in irritation, Julia watched it hit the wall and gently bounce to the floor. She tried to imagine that it had hit the head of one James Norrington, but her lack of sleep made the effort too great for her to conjure. If only Captain Norrington would take a five-minute rest and allow her the ability to slip off into sleep without the infernal racket he was causing! For as stuffy as he appeared, Julia was more than a little surprised that it was Captain Norrington who most acted like an animal amongst the crew.
A far cry from this afternoon, that is for certain.
The afternoon began as the most undoubtedly tiresome Julia had ever spent in her twenty-nine years. After docking in Nassau around two o'clock, Julia found herself sitting on a mooring post, patiently waiting for Captain Norrington to fulfill his promise of taking her to the inn so that she could retire until dinner. Trying her best to be accommodating, Julia kept rereading the same passage from her novel, as the type just swam before her eyes in the infernal Caribbean heat. Feeling like she was roasting, Julia kept readjusting the brim of her hat to protect her skin from the ever-present sun. And to use as a makeshift barrier to block the lovesick expression of the ever-present Mister Cobb.
After waiting for several hours, Julia found herself escorted from the dock by none other than the illustrious Mister Cobb who enthusiastically ushered her through the streets of town as if she were a prize mare and then deposited her in a room at a modest inn. The whole stroll down the narrow streets, Mister Cobb had a vise-like grip on her elbow.
"For your protection," he explained.
It was all Julia could to keep from guffawing. More like any excuse to have your hands on me.
Instead, Julia smiled sweetly and allowed herself to be led to the inn. But just as long as it stopped there and did not continue past the door of her rented room. Julia was not looking forward to having to decline any advances, if it came down to that. Once checked in, she politely demurred his overzealous offer to make sure she was properly settled into her new quarters. Instead, Julia sent a dejected Mister Cobb back to the ship with the request that she not be disturbed for a few hours. Given the opportunity to sleep in a real bed that was wider than a yardstick, Julia wished to take full advantage of the situation.
Her lodgings were cavernous compared to where she had slept on board the ship, with a goose down mattress on the bed and a rag-braid rug encompassing most of the floor. For a moment, Mister Cobb lingered in the doorway and even looked as if he was going to enter the room, but after a few minutes of awkward silence he just nodded curtly and left abruptly.
But then Julia found herself alone, as her belongings were to be brought to her later. Captain Norrington had apologized for the inconvenience he had caused her, but had promised it would be made up to her later via dinner at the best restaurant in town. But without her trunk, she had no clothes to change into for dinner. With a roll of her eyes, Julia removed her dress and allowed it to air out while she curled up with a luxuriously soft pillow.
At precisely ten of seven, there was a rap on her door. "Miss Ramage! Are you ready for dinner?"
Startled out of her sleep, Julia sat up bolt upright. Bloody Hell! How long had she been out? "One moment!" she called while springing out of bed and quickly tightening her stays. She then donned her dress, her fingers scrambling to fasten the buttons properly. With one last look in the mirror to make sure that her buttons were properly aligned, Julia opened the door with a smile.
Captain Norrington was standing a few feet from the doorway, his attention focused on the detail work of the cabinet at the end of the hallway. Dressed in more formal eveningwear then the clothing he conducted business in that afternoon, Julia knew that the barmaids would be swarming around the captain. After watching him inspect the wooden cupboard for several long seconds, his ramrod straight back to her, Julia broke the silence by softly asking, "Captain?"
Slightly perturbed at being kept waiting, a reprimand sat on the tip of his tongue and arrogance colored his features when he turned to address Julia. But when Norrington's gaze settled on his passenger, she watched his features transform from near haughtiness to awe. She felt her cheeks pink in discomfort under his disconcerting stare.
Very rarely did James Norrington find himself at a loss for words, but once he saw Julia, with her hair cascading down her back in amber waves, all cognizant thought exited his mind. There was a sleepy look in her eyes that made him think of lazy Sunday afternoons and picnics at sunset. And of more sinful diversions.
Quickly regaining his composure, he looked very pleased and proud of himself. "Good evening, Miss Ramage. I hope that you have a fine appetite, as the men and I are in the mood to celebrate. We had splendidly good luck in our negotiations this afternoon, so a long evening of celebrations is about to commence. And since I promised you dinner at the best restaurant in town, shall we proceed?" Offering his elbow, Captain Norrington suddenly looked impatient.
Pressing her lips together until a white line formed, she looked down, her lashes brushing her cheekbones. "I will need to change. As you can see, I am not properly dressed for dinner. If I may have access to my satchel, I shall hurry as fast as I can…"
A look flashed in the captain's eyes – a reaction Julia could not read. The captain swallowed hard; Julia watched the muscles of his throat contract and relax. With a roll of his shoulders, he pronounced. "There is no time. 'Tis my fault, but the men are waiting. And they are ravenous. Besides, I promised you the best restaurant, not the most expensive. You look perfectly acceptable for where we shall dine. Now please, I mean not to rush, but we must not tarry."
Julia was quiet, completely still except for her breathing, then nodded her head. Not in agreement, but for lack of a better action. "Then just let me put my hair up. It shall take just but a moment."
As Julia turned to retreat back into her room, Captain Norrington reached out and touched Julia's elbow. "No." Looking back at him over her shoulder, confusion furrowed her brow as she waited for an explanation. "No. Wear it down this evening." When Julia just blinked in confusion, he pressed. "Please." Norrington hated the pleading tone in his voice, but he was helpless to his reaction as Julia's hair fell in loose waves around her cheeks and past her shoulders; she looked like an angel.
Julia hesitated, contemplating; then nodded her agreement. Her blue eyes locked into his green, and for several moments each considered the other. Then, with a little shake of her head as if coming out of a fog – or dream – Julia broke from his gaze, retreating into the room to grab her reticule. Exiting, she accepted the captain's arm as she closed the door gently behind her.
From what Julia could gather, it seemed that the negotiations to transport the sugar cane resulted in a watershed payment to the crew of the Amphitrite. The men were joyous – but respectful – to Julia. A large group of men, with loose purses, made them all the more attractive to serving wenches, bar maids, and the like. And like parched sponges, the men fed on the feminine attention in addition to freshly cooked victuals. So, although Julia was unaware at the time she settled in at the dining table, a long evening of eating and drinking to celebrate was about to commence.
And what an evening it was.
After consuming large quantities of food, the festivities continued well into the night. When music began to play, the men insisted that Julia take a turn and dance with each. But as the men got more and more rowdy, save the captain, Julia decided to retreat to the inn. Claiming an uncomfortably full belly from the rich food and wine, Julia begged off the rest of the evening and pleaded to retire back to her room – to the drunken dismay of the crew. With much grumbling and fanfare from the crew, Captain Norrington walked Julia through the streets of Nassau to her room with the promise that after a couple of hands of cards downstairs in the great room of the inn, he would retire to the room next to hers – in case she was in need of his service. Julia had to stifle a scoff at the comment. But the evening had been filled with such goodwill that she was sure that the words were spoken in innocence.
Captain Norrington brought her bags to her room and lingered in the doorway for several long moments, much like Mister Cobb had several hours prior. He shook his head in the negative when Julia offered him several coin to cover the costs of her food. As he loitered, Julia felt a nearly palpable tension between the two of them and was certain that Captain Norrington was just waiting for an invitation into the room. But to do so would only confirm her status in his eyes. As if he needed any more fodder for his low opinion of Julia…
I see he found someone else who was in need of his service.
Checking the pendant hanging around her neck to see what time it was, Julia sighed again when she read that it was nearing four in the morning. Knowing any attempt to go back to sleep would be pointless, she threw back the quilt and swung her feet off the bed so they touched the floor, deciding to get dressed. Maybe she could find comfort in a chair in the common area until sunrise, her novel for company. By then, maybe someone on the crew would wake and make their way downstairs. Julia knew that while normally the men would be rising soon or already awake, it looked to be a late morning for most of them. So it would be a long wait in the interim. Surely there was a coffeepot somewhere on the premises being kept warm.
The entire time Julia dressed, the bed in the other room continued to bang a near constant rhythm against the wall. Rolling her eyes in a cross between frustration and amusement, she pulled her brush through her hair then pulled it back in a simple braid. It made her look much younger than her years and was a style Julia had not worn out in public since she was in short skirts, but there would be time later to attend to it properly. Pausing a moment, she considered the captain's appreciation of her hair worn loose and the feeling warmed her insides, but then the table next to her bed rattled from a particularly vigorous jolt and Julia gave a soft cry of aggravation.
Julia quickly exited her room and crept down the hallway before descending the staircase to the common area. It was still quite dark, with only a few lanterns lit low, so she maneuvered slowly, trying to get her bearings. Stopping mid stride, Julia noticed a fellow traveler dozing in one of the chairs. From the angle at which she stood it was difficult to discern if he was a member of the crew or just a stranger, as his head had dropped forward in sleep. But from her vantage point, Julia could have sworn it was Captain Norrington. She very nearly rubbed her eyes in hopes that it would help her see more clearly.
My eyes must be playing tricks on me. The dear captain is upstairs showing his enthusiasm towards his new friend. But I should probably retreat before whoever that is awakens and mistakes me for someone who is paid to take a tumble.
Deciding that she was not seeking company, Julia spun on her heel to make as graceful an exit as possible – and ran right into a side table. The sound of the impact echoed in the large chamber, much to Julia's chagrin. Muttering the most unladylike oath, Julia folded into a nearby chair to massage her battered foot. Mentally willing the gentlemen in the chair to remain asleep and oblivious, she cringed when she heard the words right out, "Ho there! Are you all right?"
Closing her eyes in embarrassment, she nodded her head in the affirmative, then realized he might not see her agreement in the darkness. "Yes, sir. Thank you. I… I am so sorry I woke you. I saw you in the chair and I–." Turning her head to address him directly, Julia stopped mid-sentence when she discovered it Captain Norrington standing near her, concern washing over his features. "Captain!"
Equally surprised, Norrington took a step backwards. Questions flooded his mind. What time was it and why was Miss Ramage even awake? Whose room was she leaving and where was she off to next? His brow furrowed. "Miss Ramage. I must admit that you startled me, although you also look like you may have seen a ghost. I… Are your accommodations somehow lacking? I would have figured that a room that large would be a nice change of pace."
He watched her blood pound as Julia's hand went to her chest in an attempt to slow her racing heart, her splayed fingers perfectly framing the base of her throat. But her brow arched in bemusement and a smiled threatened to appear at the corner of her lips. "Captain Norrington! You, of all people, are actually the last person I expected to see down here! I thought…" Julia narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I apologize. I spoke before I thought. I just was under the presumption that you were in the room next to mine." What the bloody Hell was going on?
Norrington's mirth knew no bounds. He laughed, a rippling, melodic sound. It reminded Julia of bells pealing out in jubilee, low and rumbling. "No! No… I have been down here all night. Mister Cobb managed to win my room key off me during a game of cards. Seeing that there is little fun in bunking with the ship's captain, as Cobb was to bunk with the Quartermaster, I excused myself and downed a few mugs at a pub down the road. Which was a ruse so that the men would not feel obligated to invite me to join them. When I had my fill, I wandered back to find that everyone had dispersed. So I bunkered down in the most comfortable chair I could find and let me tell you, I will be paying for it all day long." He shrugged his shoulders, the look on his face causing a giggle to escape from Julia's lips. "Several hours later, or less, here you are. Were you… were you looking for me?"
Norrington hated himself for watching so intently as Julia wet her lips with the tip of her tongue as she formulated her words. Although it was difficult to tell in the dark, he could have sworn that there was a faint glow of embarrassment in her cheeks. Her eyes were a deep sapphire blue when they locked with his own. He watched as her chest rose with the intake of a deep breath. "I mean no disrespect Captain, but actually quite the opposite. Please forgive my bluntness, as I have gotten absolutely no sleep these past several hours, but I thought it was you in the room next to mine and was seeking respite from the noise coming through the wall."
Confusion marred his features until it dawned on him just what Miss Ramage was trying to hint without having to say directly. Once he understood, Norrington had to bite the inside of his cheek to stifle the smile that was threatening to envelope his face. So Mister Cobb found someone to warm his sheets. Not that Norrington was terribly surprised – most women flocked Cobb's his good looks and overabundant charm. His First Mate said that while the sea was his wife, having an abundance of mistresses made his marriage bearable. What did surprise him was that Miss Ramage was immune to his powers, considering her profession.
Norrington swallowed hard, refusing to think about what a few coins might buy him from his passenger, refusing to think about how much coin he had on his person at that moment. Do not think about how long it has been. You made a choice. "I apologize for the inconvenience he has caused you, Miss Ramage. I will talk to him about it later."
A twinkle shone in Julia's eye. She knew she should not be talking about such topics, but, for the moment, Julia and the captain were sharing a reprieve from their usual banter that was not underscored with hostility. "Please. No need to intervene on my account. The men were all looking to… have some fun. I begrudge no one their enjoyments, even at the expense of my sleep. Well, right now I might, but life is difficult enough that when diversions can be found then they should be followed. But thank you. Your offer is kind."
Norrington laughed again. Very diplomatic, she was. Giving ground on nothing sordid, Miss Ramage was able to allude to what went on behind closed doors without incriminating herself. Norrington knew if he had gotten more sleep, he would actually be less tolerant; he was too exhausted to fully comprehend the dynamics of the conversation. "I cannot promise the hour of which I tell speak with him, but speak to him I shall. And," his smile faded into a smirk, "I will make sure that he is appropriately miserable when I do so. Also, I promise, when I will chat with him, it will be without mention that you spoke to me. I just hope that when we resume voyage this morning, you are able to rest for a few hours. Now, seeing as we are both awake and my stomach is starting to rumble – and the dawn is starting to break – what would you say to us setting out and seeing if there are any bakeries that might be opening?"
I would say that you are the most peculiar man that I have ever met. First you hold me at arm's length and now we are to be traipsing through the early morn together in search of food. I do not understand you in the least. But I must say that the more time I spend with you, the more I wish to find out about you.
Julia considered his offer; for while her own stomach was starting to make its presence known, there was the fact that it would be inappropriate for her to be out, alone, with a man to whom she was not married, or employed, so early in the morning. But, for the moment, he looked so… lighthearted and curious, that she was unable to resist. Not caring that her hair was not properly styled or that it would be inappropriate for her to be seen alone with a man at that time of day, she consented. With the hope that he would not twist her words back into regret. "I would say that I think that is a wonderful idea. A cup of coffee and a heavily buttered muffin sound utterly divine." Holding out her elbow and wrist so that he would be forced to offer his arm for her to take, she continued, "If you will, I think you should lead the way." A dimple appeared in her cheek as she flashed him a brilliant smile.
A/N: Thank you to all who read and especially to those of you who give me feedback through reviews! Your words make my day.
